(Mat 8:8 KJV) The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.
This morning we continue our series entitled, “Re-Energizing Your Prayer Life” by looking at another example of how important our words are.
In Matthew chapter eight Jesus encounters a Centurion. A Centurion was a Roman Soldier who would be comparable to today’s Company Commander in the U.S. Army. The Centurion was an officer in charge of 100 Soldiers. This particular Centurion had a servant who sick and grievously tormented. He came to Jesus and told Him about the situation. Jesus was accustomed to people coming to Him for healing, so He saw this situation no different and said, “I will go and heal him.” The Centurion, however, said something that no one had said to Jesus to this point. He told Jesus that He could simply “Speak the Word only” and his servant would be healed. He went on to further explain that he was a man in authority and that if he told one of his Soldiers to go, they would have to go or if he told them to do, they would have to do. Jesus was astonished and said, “I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.” What was Jesus calling great faith? Let’s take a closer look:
1. The Centurion understood authority: He knew that if he commanded anyone he had authority over to do something that they had to do it. Whatever or whoever is under authority is subject to the authority.
2. The Centurion perceived that Jesus had authority over sickness: Just like he could say go and do and his Soldiers would have to submit to his commands, the Centurion perceived that Jesus could do the same over sickness and disease.
3. The Centurion knew that authority does not have to be present to exercise rule: Just like he could ‘send a word’ to a Solider to do something, the Centurion knew that Jesus could simply ‘speak a word’ of healing and the sickness would have to obey.
This was unquestionably great faith. No one had expressed this level of faith to Jesus. The Centurion was completely convinced that if Jesus spoke it, that it would be done and that is exactly what happened.
So what does this mean to you today? A few things:
1. Jesus’ faith extended beyond his sight: If you can see something, then it does not require faith. Faith requires you to trust God, before He does it and before you see it. Our faith must extend beyond what we can see (or validate with our senses).
2. Jesus spoke the language of faith and walked away like it was already done: At no point did Jesus ever question what He said from a believing heart. We must be careful not to allow fear, doubt, or unbelief to rob our prayers of their power.
3. *We must be the ‘Jesus’ in the text: This is a big one. Whenever we read stories like these countless believers identify with the Centurion (the person coming to Jesus for help). But guess what? Unlike the Centurion, God has delegated the authority that Jesus operated in, while He was in the earth, to us. God has equipped us with the power of the Holy Spirit – the same power that Jesus operated in. We cannot sit back like the Centurion and expect Jesus to come down and speak to our situations; we must pray and speak the language of faith ourselves. Pray the prayer of faith in the morning and then speak the language of faith ALL DAY LONG!
Closing Confession: Father, I thank You this morning for equipping me with the Power of the Holy Spirit and for delegating Your authority to operate in Kingdom dominion in the earth to me. You have given me both the authority and the ability and I declare that I will use them for Your glory. I shall not be dominated by any situation, but by the power of the Holy Spirit I shall exercise Kingdom dominion daily. I pray to You, in faith, in accordance with Your Word, fully believing to receive what I pray for, I walk away from my prayer session convinced that my prayers will come to pass, and I then speak the language of faith all day long. Thank You Father for using me as an instrument of Your glory and as a channel through which You bring to pass Your Kingdom plans and purposes in the earth. I pray this by faith. In Jesus’ name, amen!
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper!
